3.5 stars.

This is a rich and complicated book with a lot going on. It is a colorful and intimate exploration of sexuality and community. As far as a book for representation, I thought this was wonderfully handled. The diversity is great and the attention to issues based on both race and gender identity were presented and explored in a way that was immersive, yet not judgmental in any way. There is a lot of internal insight into the protagonist as they work to discover how they feel their sexual and gender preferences might be most accurately expressed. It is a sometimes heart-wrenching read.

Because of how much is packed into this novel, it is a necessarily slow read. The organization into alternating narrators can make things slightly disorienting and there is a lot to take in an a lot to consider. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, displaying emotion in a very moving way. There are moments where it can be convoluted and confusing.

I admit that this is a fairly new foray for me into understanding the trans experience. My ability to comprehend the feelings and complications of the situation was (and really still is) quite naive. I was able to gain some insight from my read, but I still left the situation feeling a little unclear and lost. It was a beautiful read, but my lack of exposure made my reading experience a little clunky. I do think that I would glean more from a second read and...now that I've had time to sit with the experience...would likely have a higher rating to give at that time. It's just so very much to handle.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *